A new review examines something unexpected: a diet rich in fat and poor carbohydrates – known as ketogenic diet – can help protect the brain by diseases such as Alzheimer’s, the Parkinson and the multiple sclerosis. Initially it was used to treat epilepsy, but now the ketogenic diet is considered a possible method for the slowdown or management of neurodegenerative diseases.
«How does it work? When following the ketogenic diet, your body stops using glucose (sugar) and starts burning fat. This produces substances called ketone bodies, such as beta-hydroxybutyrate, which become a new source of energy for the brain. And the benefits are not limited to energy supply: ketone bodies seem to protect brain cells and reducing the brain. Efthimiopoulou Dietitian-Nutritionist.
Let’s see what the review found:
How the ketogenic diet protects the brain
The ketogenic diet changes the way the brain receives energy – uses fat instead of sugar. This helps in various ways:
- It increases energy production in brain cells.
- It reduces the damage that cause oxidative molecules.
- It soothes inflammation in the brain.
- It supports the repair and growth of brain cells.
- It helps in memory and learning through increased use of proteins such as BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor).
These results are important for situations where brain energy systems fail or inflame.
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is often called ‘Type 3 diabetes“Because the brain becomes insulin resistant. The ketogenic diet helps by providing an alternative source of energy to the brain – the ketone bodies.
Research data show that:
- It improves the function of brain cells by bypassing the problematic metabolism path of glucose.
- It can reduce the accumulation of harmful proteins (such as amyloid protein beta and tau protein).
- People who follow a ketogenic diet often see improvement in memory, functionality and quality of life.
- The addition of special fats, such as Medium-Chain Triglycerides triglycerides, further enhances the results.
Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the loss of specific brain cells that produce dopamine. Mitochondria – the “generators” of cell energy are also affected.
The ketogenic diet can help through:
- Reduction of inflammation in the brain.
- Protection of dopamine cells.
- Improving energy production and reduced cell stress.
- Strengthening bowel health, which is associated with brain health.
- Symptoms of symptoms such as stress and memory problems.
Some patients who followed ketogenic diet in combination with drugs such as L-DOPA had even better results.
Handington disease
Huntington’s disease is a genetic condition that affects movement and thought. Although rarely, it has in common with epilepsy and Parkinson’s.
Ketogenic diet can help:
- By protecting brain cells and improving energy use.
- By reducing crises, which also occur in some patients with handington disease.
- Balancing brain chemicals (eg increasing GABA, which calms the brain).
Studies in children with epilepsy show that the ketogenic diet is safe and can be beneficial in similar disorders, such as Huntington disease.
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is autoimmune in which the body attacks its own nerve cells. The ketogenic diet shows many promising results:
- It can help restore myelin, the protective cover of neurons.
- Reduces nerve damage markers in the blood.
- It reduces inflammation and improves body composition (eg reducing fat and maintaining muscle mass).
A diet variant that includes Mediterranean ingredients and plant compounds can be even more effective for multiple sclerosis.
Is the Ketogenic diet the future of brain health?
“The review shows that the ketogenic diet is not just about weight loss. It can be a powerful tool for the treatment of brain diseases that currently have limited choices. By improving the use of energy by the brain, reducing inflammation and protecting cells, the ketogenic diet could be integrated into future therapeutic protocols.
However, not all is clear. Many studies are still small and short. Also, the strict ketogenic diet is not easy to maintain for a long time, especially in the elderly or people with other diseases. Modified diet forms – such as those with medium chain triglycerides or Mediterranean foods – may be easier to follow.
You need more and better quality research. At present, however, the Ketogenic diet is a very promising and exciting field of brain health science that attracts the interest of doctors and researchers worldwide, ”concludes Ms. Efthimiopoulou.